Donated Mural brings the Seaside to Acorns

A renowned local artist has donated a large and magnificent mural to Acorns Children’s Hospice which now hangs in the charity’s hospice in Worcester.

Polly Alakja’s 32-foot long mural, depicting a sunny beach by a bright blue sea, runs along an entire wall of the hospice’s hydrotherapy pool room.

Polly, who often takes time out of her career to engage in community art projects, made the mural over four days with the help of more than 60 children at the Hooked On Books Festival at Eastnor Castle in August. The local artist was commissioned by Eastnor Castle, which kindly funded the painting to then be donated to Acorns.

“Acorns are a great local cause, providing palliative care to life limited and life threatened children all across the region. It’s fantastic that the mural was donated to them,” said Polly.

“It was great fun making it. The kids at the festival were really enthusiastic and they all made a big creative contribution, stencilling in the sea and the beach and adding lots of fantastic marine animals.

“I’m proud to see it now displayed at Acorns’ hospice in Worcester. Hopefully the children here will enjoy it while they’re having fun splashing about in the pool.”

Hydrotherapy is a relaxing and therapeutic experience for a child. The warm water helps ease stiff muscles and joints, reduces pain and offers an otherwise impossible sense of freedom and movement.

To run and maintain the hydrotherapy pool services at the hospice in Worcester costs £3,000 for one year.

Hazel Godwin, deputy head nurse at Acorns in Worcester, said: “We’re very grateful for Polly’s kind donation of this brilliant mural. It’s such a lovely, sunny piece of art. It really brightens up the room. I’m sure the children will enjoy it for many years to come.

“Acorns receives less than 30% of its overall income from statutory funding. We heavily rely on donations and fundraising by local communities to be able to continue providing care services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”